Chances are if you read about Clemson heading into today’s game against the Miami Hurricanes you are going to read about Da’Quan Bowers.

Head to the Tigers’ Web site and you are immediately greeted by a link to ACC.com which has a feature on Bowers, a former Bamberg-Ehrhardt star, on its site. Newspapers around the state have churned out copy on Bowers this week and rightfully so. Heading into today’s game against the Miami Hurricanes, Bowers has 24 tackles and three sacks.

Dig around enough and you will soon find out that Bowers is the best-singing, guitar-playing man in the ACC as well. As a member of his father Dennis Bowers’ band, the Legendary Singing Stars, Bowers said he tries to keep a low profile. That’s kind of hard to do when you are a 6-4, 280-pound bona fide college football star. The other member of the “Bamberg Bookends,” Ricky Sapp, doesn’t have a band, but he is having a pretty good season himself with 26 tackles and three sacks.

Not to be outdone, former Calhoun County wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has dominated South Carolina headlines as of late. The former Under Armour All-American has developed into a go-to receiver for the Gamecocks, hauling in 16 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns.

While the trio of former T&D Region prep stars are grabbing the headlines, several other former region stars are doing well. Below is a breakdown of those players who are doing well beyond the Friday night lights.

Eyeing in-state schools

Charleston Southern

Former Orangeburg-Wilkinson receiver Kwame Krakue is putting together a solid season for the Buccaneers. Krakue is second on the team with 22 receptions for 304 yards and a touchdown.

Coastal Carolina

The Chanticleer defense is benefitting from a pair of Orangeburg-Wilkinson recruits. Former Bruins’ middle linebacker Derrick Frasier has 32 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception this season; former O-W outside linebacker Brian Harrison has 13 tackles.

Former Bamberg-Ehrhardt star Chris Presley has three receptions for 56 yards for the Chanticleers. Presley’s first catch went 50 yards for a touchdown. Since, he has battled a hamstring injury.

North Greenville

Freshman Nicholas Williams, a former Lake Marion star, has been a big surprise at North Greenville, where he leads the team in receptions with 14 for 95 yards.

Former Edisto Cougars star Kamrie Connell, a freshman, has seven receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.

South Carolina State

Former Denmark-Olar star Semaj Moody’s move from wide receiver to defensive back has been a successful one. Moody is tied with Donovan Richard for the team lead in interceptions with two.

Two outside the state

Columbia

Former Orangeburg Prep star Michael Williamson leads the Columbia Lions in punting, averaging 39.5 yards per kick.

Howard

Former Orangeburg-Wilkinson quarterback Floyd Haigler leads Howard with 750 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Willie Carter, a former Denmark-Olar star, leads the Bison with 24 receptions for 308 yards and two touchdowns.

From here to the pros

Bruins to do battle

Former O-W star Tim Jennings, a current defensive back with the Indianapolis Colts, will take on former Bruins’ tackle Alex Barron Sunday.

UFL

Former Orangeburg-Wilkinson defensive lineman Jonas Seawright is on the roster of the UFL’s New York Sentinels.

T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder can be reached via e-mail at blinder@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5553.

 

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